- This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 1 week ago by
.
-
Posts
-
If you could add either Ted Simmons or Yadier Molina as catcher for this 2026 version of the Redbirds which one would you choose:
Simmons
Strengths are offense, something which the Cards need. Obviously a much better hitter than Molina. Defensively he would probably be as good if not better than Herrera, Pozo, Pages, and Crooks.Molina
Strengths are handing the staff and a much better defensive catcher. Offense would not be as good as Simmons though. But Molina was a very good clutch hitter.I would choose Simmons myself for the simple reason this team can’t hit. I still say the lack of offense will be a detriment for them.
r/Esteemed Rat
Both are HOF’ers so you couldn’t go wrong. As great as Yadi was I usually default to my youth of the 70’s and 80’s so I am going with Simba.
I’ll take Molina over Simmons behind HP or in the batter’s box on any year’s edition Cardinal team. When the outcome of a baseball game was in the balance, the only other Redbird hitter I’d rather have standing in than Yadier Molina was Albert Pujols. And not by too much. Molina was as focused and determined as they come with baserunners aboard in key situations. I need not mention his mitt.
It’s close, but I have to tab Yadi over Ted Lyle Simmons (aka “Simba”). Yadi came into the league hitting like a lamb, but blossomed to near tiger status with bat in hand. Plus Yadi has 2 WS rings under his belt, while Simba has none. Both great players!
Pugs?
Remember, Simmons hailed from Michigan. Which was a state with many lakes. Which means alot of Catfish. Which translates into Simmons being a big Catfish Fiddlers eater.
Molina came from down in the Caribbean which was salt water. No catfish down there.
I’ll also say that upon further review, Simmon’s career BA is only 8 pts. better than Molina at .285 to .277 and Molina trails in career hits by a reasonably close margin of 2472 to 2168 and Simmons played for 2 more seasons than did Molina. And when all the money’s pushed to the center of the table, I’ll take Molina with a bat in his hands over Simmons anytime. Yadier effectively handed the NL Pennant to the Cardinals with his 9th inning 2 run tater in game 7 of the ’06 NLCS. Molina’s a tough cookie all the way around the horn.
I definitely calculated Simba’s likely catfish fiddler fetish to the positive side of his ledger, Rat. But it still wasn’t quite enough to get him over the hump. Just thinking out loud here……wouldn’t having lunch at the Gasthof with Rat and Simba be one for the ages. All of the fantastic food, wonderful baseball chat, the flirting with the waitresses and to top it off, after lunch out to the porch we go to each fire up one of Rat’s famed 7 x 50 Via Palma El Presidente cigars. You’d never want to leave.
Its a tough question. Cant go wrong with either. I give molina 2 world series but ted didnt have pujols or edmonds, heck ted left before we had willie or ozzie. Also outside of forsch, ted didnt have the great pitchers molina had. Im going with my youth with ted.
Something to consider is Simmons was known for swinging a large and heavy bat. Not sure how that would work when everybody throws high 90s now. Of course, men were men then.
The Cardinals basically have collapsed for several years since Molina retired. He was apparently worth about 10 wins per year to those late teens to early 20s Cardinals. So I’ll say Molina.
Well bling just think of the lightning flashes that would come off his bat if they gave him one of these toothpicks today.
Not sure if anyone’s ever enjoyed a meal consisting of the prized fish known as snook, but they’re right at the top of my list of favorites alongside catfish. They’re also a blast to catch as they’re a first rate fight. We used to use light tackle just so those ornery snook would tear the gear a new one…I’d highly recommend the experience if you like to wet a line.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.